The Laskin Legacy

Essays in commemoration of Chief Justice Bora Laskin

This book is a collection of seventeen scholarly articles and personal reminiscences that examine the life and career of the late Bora Laskin, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. The essays are written by family members, judges, law professors, and lawyers whose recollections about Laskin flesh out the life of a man "at the summit of Canada's political and legal life," with commentary from some whose paths crossed his.

The book includes examinations of Laskin's contribution to legal education and scholarship, as well as to jurisprudence in constitutional law, administrative and labour law, and private law. As well, it provides discussion of Laskin's impact on the Supreme Court of Canada itself.

CONTENTS

Introduction

Constance Backhouse

Part 1: Personal philosophy

Some memories of my father

John I Laskin

Comments on my dad

Barbara Laskin

Part 2: Educator

Laskin and the university

Martin Friedland

Laskin and the university crisis of 1949

Horace Krever

Part 3: Impact on the supreme court of canada

Laskin's legacy to the supreme court

Ian Binnie

Laskin's impact on the supreme court

Peter W Hogg

Memories of Laskin at the court

Sheridan Scott

Part 4: Substantive contributions to law

Laskin's legacy to national unity and patriation

R Roy McMurtry

Laskin's legacy to law

J J Michel Robert

Part 5: Administrative and labour law

Chief Justice Laskin's approach to administrative law

Stephen T Goudge

Laskin's contribution to labour law

Chris G Paliare

Part 6: Constitutional law, federalism, and individual rights

Laskin and the constitutional protection of rights and freedoms

Robert J Sharpe

Part 7: Contract, tort, and fiduciary obligations

The Laskin legacy in private law: The judge as custodian of the common law